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La Paz, the Bolivian de-facto capital, is both chaotic, high-altitude city and a hot-bed of fascinating new tourist activities – all of which reflect the face of modern Bolivia. The uniqueness, beauty, and energy of La Paz is evident from the city as your plane descends into El Alto International airport: an urban sprawl wedged …
25 Unusual & Unmissable Things To Do In La Paz, BoliviaRead More
On the northwest coast of Peru, a stone’s throw from pretty, colonial Trujillo, lies the sleepy but stunning beach town of Huanchaco – a destination that you definitely want to visit. Sandwiched between the arid desert and the breaking waves, it’s a friendly little town filled with delicious food and a laid-back surf mentality. With …
Huanchaco: The Complete Guide to this Peruvian Beach TownRead More
From dazzling churches to relics of ancient civilisations, Peru has more than its fair share of striking natural landmarks and historic monuments. Although there’s certainly a few well-known spots in among the others in this list of places to visit in Peru, it’s fair to say that these barely-visited alternatives promise the same mix of …
41 Incredible Places in Peru You’ve Probably Never Heard Of BeforeRead More
The sky-piercing peaks of Torres del Paine National Park; the dense, milky blue hue of Glacier Perito Moreno; the huge wingspan of an Andean condor sailing through in the skies of Tierra del Fuego; every moment traveling through Patagonia is one of utter magic. There are few other places on earth where nature and vast, …
5 Patagonia Itineraries For One And Two Weeks of TravelRead More
2018 was definitely the year that the idea of being a responsible traveler hit the headlines. As a result, 2019 should be the year that we start applying these principles to our own travel. There are plenty of articles that offer sustainable travel tips covering many aspects of what it means to be a conscious …
By the time I arrived in Ayacucho, I had lost count of how many days it had been since I last heard a voice speak English. Despite being just 12 hours’ drive from Cusco – which, in Peru, means it’s practically next door – Ayacucho is the twin that its famous brother never knew it …
Snow dappled mountains, carved into glistening ridges by the forces of nature over millennia; lush vines heavily laden with juicy grapes for wine and pisco; white sandy beaches untouched by human hands: welcome to Chile, one of the world’s most diverse and beautiful countries. There are some famous Chile tourism attractions that you can’t have …
7 Spectacular & Under-the-Radar Chile Tourism DestinationsRead More
“Now with technology, everything is “copy and paste”. There’s no innovation.” Doña Gloria Estella emphasises the words “copy and paste” in English. She points to the huipiles, the traditional Mayan woven top that her and her colleagues are wearing. All are hand-woven, using designs conceived by their “abuelas” (grandmothers). “We’re reviving designs; we’re reviving drawings from …
Reclaiming Indigenous Heritage: Guatemala’s Community Tourism RevolutionRead More
In a remote corner of the northern Peruvian Andes lies Chachapoyas, a region steeped in an ancient culture unlike any other you’ll find in the country. Whether you want to explore unusual and pristine ruins, hike through lush forest to one of the highest waterfalls in the world or climb along cliffs to witness ancient …
You’re planning on heading south to the wild lands of Patagonia and a trip to Torres del Paine National Park has long been on your list. But there’s one problem: all of the campsites and refugios in the park are fully booked on the dates you plan to arrive. What do you do? Is there …
Six Options For If You Can’t Get Torres del Paine Camping ReservationsRead More
It’s fair to say that the W and O Circuit treks through Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia have quickly become some of the continent’s most sought-after activities. However, this new-found popularity (with visitor numbers having reached a quarter of a million in the last year alone) has resulted in huge difficulties for prospective visitors. …
Booking Campsites in Torres del Paine: Everything You Need to KnowRead More
Bolivia is a country full of beautiful places and people. There is seemingly no end to the gorgeous scenery, unique landmarks, and intriguing culture that Bolivia has to offer. When planning a trip here, it can feel hard to narrow down all the options among the different Bolivian tourist attractions on offer. Bolivia tourist attractions …
With its trademark dramatic mountainous landscapes, national parks that make hikers drool and a wealth of undiscovered corners that remain tantalizingly wild, it should come as no surprise that Patagonia is one of South America’s most popular travel destinations. Unfortunately, the cost of a trip to Patagonia can be enough to halt many visitors in …
Patagonia On A Budget: How to Explore the Region For LessRead More
Waking up late after a big night out, you step outside and taste the salty air blowing in from the Caribbean. The day begins with some tropical fruit that you buy from a smiling lady in a vibrant, colorful dress. A cup of some of the best coffee you’ve ever had follows, fueling you for …
Turquoise lagoons perched beneath sharp, granite pillars and reached only by spellbinding hiking trails; chattering Magellanic and king penguin colonies; slow but magical boat journeys through untamed waters; glaciers towering higher than apartment blocks that calve house-sized bergs into icy waters below. It’s fair to say that by choosing to travel to Patagonia, a wealth …
We’ve all had dreams of the Inca Trail and walking a path so steeped in history and beauty. But the reality is you have to book months in advance and the experience offers very little in the way of real adventure. If the idea of authentic exploration excites you, consider the Choquequirao trek, the best …
Peru’s Choquequirao Trek: The Ultimate Hiking GuideRead More
If you’re visiting Bolivia, chances are, the Salar de Uyuni (aka the Bolivian Salt Flats) is on your must-see list. The world’s largest salt flat, it a truly amazing sight to behold. If you want to experience the incredible richness of natural beauty and diverse landscapes that Bolivia has to offer, a tour of El …
An Expert Guide to Visiting El Salar de Uyuni, BoliviaRead More
Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park is one of the absolute highlights of a visit to Patagonia – I should know, I’ve done it twice! Back in March 2016, I walked the Torres del Paine W trek as part of a tour around Patagonia and was so struck by the park that I returned in …
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the ‘W’ Without A Tour (Updated 2018)Read More
You’ve set off on your big trip, headed to the top places to visit in South America, but it wasn’t quite what you expected. Everywhere you go on famous lists of unmissable destinations in South America has versions of the same backpackers drinking beer and asking you the same questions or making the same small-talk. …
Colombia has a wealth of national parks to explore, but there’s one in particular that should be on your list to visit: Los Nevados National Park (Parque Nacional de los Nevados). Although not as frequented as the likes of Tyrona National Park, it’s a hidden treasure in the heart of Colombia. With a visit to …
Beyond-the-Beaten-Trail Adventures in Los Nevados National Park, ColombiaRead More
With its mysterious, stoic moai watching over the island and craterous, seemingly barren landscapes that hint at a turbid, fascinating history, Easter Island** (aka Isla de Pascua as it’s known in Spanish or Rapa Nui as is its local name) captivates most travellers. In fact, the idea of visiting the staggeringly remote Easter Island is one …
The Practical Guide to Visiting Easter Island Without Breaking the BankRead More
On my last trip along the Carretera Austral in 2016, I made it as far as the azure waters of Lago General Carrera in the Aysén Region of Chile. Few people have heard of this lake; but it’s the location of the almost fantastical, swirling-blue coloured Cavernas Marmoles or Marble Caves, easily visited in a speedboat from …
A Luxurious Stay in the Sunniest Corner of the Carretera AustralRead More
I hold the coffee beans in my hands, their parchment skin still on, like little tissue paper jackets or the discarded chrysalis of a transformed caterpillar. There is something very fragile about them in this form. I’m told that what I’m holding in my hand has a 73g yield and is worth 6 soles 40 …
It’s been an awfully long time since I was last on horseback – over twenty years to be precise. But I feel surprisingly in control of Dali, my stead for a day of horse riding in the wilds of Patagonia. According to Marco, one of the ranch hands at Estancia La Península, there’s a basic …
